Another Kerala HC rap for advocate general’s office

Kochi, July 31 (IANS) Kerala advocate general K.P. Dhandapani’s office received a rap on the knuckles from the state high court on Friday for the second time in 10 days.

The court on Friday asked state Chief Secretary Jiji Thompson to conduct a probe into the manner in which the AG office was functioning and submit a report to the high court registrar in two weeks.

The same court had last week flayed the functioning of the AG office and asked it to be closed down.

The high court said it was surprising to note that a lot of interest was shown by the AG office in some cases while it was not the case in some other matters.

The court said it was high time the AG office got a makeover.

After the functioning of the AG office came under fire last week, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, in the state assembly, appreciated the advocate general’s working.

On Friday, Chandy, when asked for his reaction on the high court’s rap, asked for the name of the judge who made the remark. When told, he said “I just wanted to hear the name only” and walked away.

Though Congress spokesperson Ajay Tharayil claimed that it appeared the particular judge was prejudiced against the AG and hence was constantly attacking him, senior lawyer Udayabhanu said there was absolutely nothing wrong in the judge finding fault with the AG’s functioning.

“His statements should be seen as constructive criticism,” said Udaybhanu.